Three-Dimensional Laser Machining

The previous two chapters dealt with the one- dimensional (drilling) and twodimensional (cutting) laser machining techniques. Various laser machining approaches have been developed to facilitate the three-dimensional material removal during shaping of materials. Two most popular approaches for threedimensional machining are laser-assisted machining (LAM) and laser machining (LM). LAM is a traditional machining approach assisted by laser energy, whereas LM is nontraditional machining approach which uses a laser beam as a direct tool for material removal. The detailed discussion of these approaches form the subject of this chapter.